For
- Raw spread averaging 0.01 pip on EUR/USD — among the lowest in the world
- Sub-40ms execution via Equinix NY4 and LD5 servers
- US$ 1.76 trillion monthly volume ensures deep liquidity
- Allows HFT, scalping, EAs and aggressive strategies without restriction
- Three platforms: MT4, MT5 and cTrader (with Depth of Market)
- No deposit, withdrawal or inactivity fees
Against
- US$ 200 minimum deposit — a barrier for those starting small
- Clients in many regions fall under the Seychelles entity (no compensation fund)
- No proprietary mobile app (only MT/cTrader)
- Weak educational material — for a beginner, it's thin
- Support outside business hours can be limited in some languages
01Executive summary
IC Markets was founded in 2007 in Sydney and grew into a global reference for algorithmic traders and scalpers. The positioning is direct: a pricing and execution broker — they compete on price and speed, not on "user experience" or education. They process US$ 1.76 trillion in monthly volume and keep raw spreads around 0.01 pip on EUR/USD with infrastructure colocated in Equinix NY4 and LD5 data centers. For the professional trader, that's exactly what matters. For someone starting from scratch, Exness offers a gentler on-ramp.
02Regulation and safety
Three licenses: ASIC (Australia, AFSL 335692, active since 2007), CySEC (Cyprus, 362/18) and FSA (Seychelles, SD018). ASIC and CySEC are considered Tier-1 and impose strict requirements for client protection, fund segregation and minimum capital. For many international clients, however, the account ends up being opened under the Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles) entity, which has no statutory compensation scheme — they offset this with a Lloyd's of London policy, but it's a real trade-off worth knowing.
03Platforms — and the reason for cTrader
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5 and cTrader. The first two are standard. The differentiator is cTrader — a platform optimized for scalping, with native Depth of Market (you see the order book in real time) and asynchronous execution logic. For a discretionary trader who trades with nuance, cTrader is superior. For an MQL5 EA, MT5 remains the obvious choice.
New in 2026: direct integration with TradingView. You can send orders to IC Markets straight from the TradingView chart — something that was missing and that Exness still doesn't have.
04Account types
Raw Spread: spreads from 0.0 pip with a US$ 7 per lot commission (round-turn). It's the account that makes sense for 90% of active traders. Standard: built-in spread (~0.8 pip on EUR/USD), no commission. Simpler to follow, but a higher total cost for those trading volume. cTrader Raw: lower commission (US$ 6 round-turn). A US$ 200 minimum on all of them.
05The real reason for the fame: execution
Here's the competitive advantage. The servers sit in Equinix NY4 (New York) and LD5 (London) — the same data centers used by banks and funds. 60% of order flow is algorithmic, which means the infrastructure is constantly tested by systems that penalize any delay. Forensic logs from Feb 2026 show that even during gold (XAU/USD) volatility spikes, execution kept pace without freezes or requotes.
For a scalping strategy or short-timeframe EA, that's what separates profit from breakeven. A bot that ran with slippage on a poor broker and broke even can turn positive on IC Markets purely from the execution improvement.
06IC Markets vs. Exness
| Criterion | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Execution / latency | Sub-40ms · Equinix NY4/LD5 | ~25ms · own servers |
| EUR/USD raw spread | 0.01 pip + US$ 7/lot | 0.0 pip + US$ 7/lot |
| Withdrawal | 1-2 business days | Seconds · automated |
| Minimum deposit | US$ 200 | US$ 10 (Cent: $0) |
| Platforms | MT4 + MT5 + cTrader + TradingView | MT4 + MT5 |
| Pure HFT | Yes · world reference | Yes |
In short: IC Markets wins on execution and infrastructure for the professional trader. Exness wins on withdrawals, accessibility and account versatility. Many people open both and use them for different purposes.
07Is IC Markets for you?
It makes sense if…
- You trade scalping or HFT
- You run an EA on the M1/M5 timeframe
- You have at least US$ 500 to start with room
- You want cTrader and Depth of Market
- Low latency is a priority for your strategy
Think twice if…
- You're starting from scratch (Exness or XM are more beginner-friendly)
- You have less than US$ 200 available
- Fast withdrawal is your absolute priority
- You need plenty of educational material to learn
- You want a polished proprietary mobile app
08Frequently asked questions
Is IC Markets trustworthy?
Yes, within the standard of international Forex brokers. It has 19 years of operation, Tier-1 ASIC and CySEC, and processes institutional volume. Like every Forex broker, it operates under foreign regulators rather than a single domestic one; retail clients in many regions trade under the Seychelles entity.
Can I run an Expert Advisor (EA) on IC Markets?
Yes, with no restriction. It supports MT4, MT5 and cTrader with full permission for EAs, scalping, hedging and HFT. It's in fact one of the most-used brokers in the world by algorithmic traders for exactly this reason.
What's the difference between Raw Spread and Standard?
Raw Spread has spreads from 0.0 pip with a US$ 7 per lot round-turn commission — better for volume and scalping. Standard has a built-in spread (~0.8 pip), no commission — simpler, but a higher total cost for an active trader.
How long does a withdrawal take?
Typically 1-2 business days. It's not IC Markets' strong point — Exness is much faster here. Withdrawals are fee-free on most methods.
IC Markets or Exness?
It depends. If you prioritize pure execution and run intense HFT/scalping, IC Markets. If you prioritize fast withdrawals, accessibility (Cent) and 24/7 support, Exness. Many traders keep accounts at both for different uses.
Ready to test it?
Free demo account with cTrader included. Test the execution before depositing.
Open an account at IC Markets →